DNA profiling

The recovery, analysis and profiling of DNA recovered from crime scenes has become crucial to the detection and prosecution of perpetrators of crime. DNA profiling has the potential to uniquely identify an individual from traces of body fluids, hairs or skin cells left at the scene or recovered from items related to the incident. However, if a DNA profile is made up of contributions from a number of individuals or from an unidentified body fluid or only a partial profile is obtained, then the results may be open to a number of possible interpretations.

As the sensitivity of DNA technology has increased so too has the ability of forensic scientists to detect ever decreasing trace amounts of DNA. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the circumstances surrounding the collection of a DNA sample and how the DNA profile was obtained. It is also crucial to consider when and how that DNA evidence could have been deposited on the item under investigation.

It is therefore very important that DNA evidence is peer reviewed by a forensic scientist who is highly experienced in that specialist area.

DNA profiling experts

How can our DNA profiling experts assist the defence counsel with the DNA evidence issues?

Our DNA profiling experts have very substantial experience and expertise in the application and interpretation of DNA collection and DNA evidence.

Our forensic scientists can:

Review the findings of the prosecution scientist, if one has been involved.

Consider the circumstances surrounding the collection of a particular DNA sample with particular reference to continuity and integrity of the items under investigation including such issues as cross contamination and/or secondary transfer.

Comment on when and how the DNA evidnece in question may have been deposited on the item it was found on and how that impacts on the evidential significance of finding DNA with that particular profile on that item.

If required, appear for the defence counsel as an expert witness, providing expert witness testimony capable of withstanding even the toughest cross examination.